Good Estate Management For Schools
What is Good Estate Management for Schools (GEMS)?
GEMS stands for Good Estate Management for Schools which is the latest guidance for educational premises issued by the Department for Education (DfE). It is a set of guidelines that provide advice and recommendations for the design, construction, and maintenance of educational buildings in England. The guidance is intended to help ensure that educational premises are safe, healthy, and suitable for their intended use.
The GEMS guidance covers a wide range of topics related to educational premises, including design and construction, safety, health, and welfare, energy efficiency and sustainability, and facilities management. It provides detailed information on various aspects of building design and construction, such as fire safety, acoustics, lighting, ventilation, and accessibility. It also includes guidance on the management and maintenance of educational buildings, including policies and procedures for health and safety, energy efficiency, and waste management.
Who is the Guidance for?
The guidance is intended for use by a wide range of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, builders, and facilities managers, as well as education professionals and local authorities. It is also intended to be used as a reference for educational institutions when planning and managing their facilities.
The GEMS guidance is regularly updated to reflect changes in regulations, building codes, and best practices. The latest version of the guidance was issued in 2020, GEMS 2020, it includes changes to reflect the latest legislation, building regulations and codes, guidance and best practice.
What are the Key Points?
The Key points of the Good Estate Management for Schools Guidance are:
Compliance with Building Regulations and other relevant legislation
Design for accessibility and inclusion for all
Fire safety design and management
Acoustic design
Lighting design
Ventilation and thermal comfort design
Water and sanitation design
Energy efficiency and sustainability
Safety and security design
Facilities management and maintenance, including policies and procedures for health and safety, energy efficiency, and waste management.
GEMS 2020 also includes guidance on the management and maintenance of educational buildings, including policies and procedures for health and safety, energy efficiency, and waste management. It is also intended to be used as a reference for educational institutions when planning and managing their facilities.
It is however worth noting that as GEMS is guidance, it is not legally binding, but it is considered as best practice and adhering to it, will help ensure that educational premises are safe, healthy, and suitable for their intended use.